An Hour in the Paddock

An Hour in the Paddock

19th May 2011
Peter Burton

At 3.15 in the afternoon a high producing, and still milking, herd of dairy cows were contentedly grazing a fresh break of pasture.  Content because most were simply standing and grazing with jaws working at single speed, close to 50 bites per minute. Overhead conditions were cloudy, with brief chilly showers, and just the odd patch of direct autumn sunlight.
 
A high fibre high-energy supplement had been fed out yet pasture was preferred.  Admittedly the haylage was not the best quality this herd has dined on but certainly good quality filler.
 
Air temperature measured by holding the soil thermometer out of direct sunlight gave a reading of 13.2C and the soil at 7.5 cm 14.2C, still warm for mid May in the Central Plateau.
 
Grass samples representative of the pasture being grazed gave Brix readings of 8 and 10, not uncommon readings for pasture to which DoloZest has been regularly applied.  Pasture brix levels of 10+ provide cows with sufficient energy for it to be preferred to all but the best quality high energy supplement.
 
The fact that the haylage was being ignored also indicated that there was unlikely to be a rapid deterioration of weather within the next 24 hours.  Observing cows preference for feed provides valuable clues to likely weather over the coming days.
 
Well-conditioned animals are able to easily withstand a cold night, or a wet 24 hours, however add to either a biting wind from the south and the demand for energy increases, markedly so if animals are to remain content.
 
High quality hay provides both extra energy, and fibre necessary for optimum rumen function.  Hay made from pasture that has gone through the full growth cycle to the point of having mature seed has maximum energy and when fully digested is an excellent energy and fibre source over winter.
 
Silage made from rapidly growing spring grass will be higher in protein and lower in energy than mature hay and therefore a more suitable dry summer feed, although still a desirable and valuable supplement during winter months.
 
In the recent periods of wet windy conditions well-fed animals were seen lined up along fence lines with their tails into the wind, and when the weather cleared within a few hours little mud was generated.  With fresh feed made available as soon as the rain eased pasture damage was minimal, although during prolonged periods of wet weather over the next three months some pasture damage is inevitable. 
 
The end of the season is the time to feel satisfied with what has gone well since the start of spring, reflect on the things that may have been better managed, and lay plans for the winter and coming spring.
 
For a stockman there can be no better place than a paddock of high quality grass being grazed by contented animals on a gentle autumn afternoon.